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James Naughton | |
|---|---|
 Naughton in 1974 | |
| Born | (1945-12-06)December 6, 1945 (age 79) Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Brown University (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1971–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | David Naughton (brother) |
James Naughton (born December 6, 1945) is an American actor and director. On television he is best known as astronaut Pete Burke in the 1974 single-season television seriesPlanet of the Apes. He wonTony Awards forBest Actor in a Musical in 1990 forCity of Angels, and again in 1997 for the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running revival of the musicalChicago.
Naughton was born in Middletown, Connecticut, the son of Rosemary (née Walsh) and Joseph Naughton, both of whom were teachers.[1] He is the elder brother of actorDavid Naughton. His family isIrish-American. He graduated fromConard High School.[2] Jim began singing during his years at Conard "with the high school band and at parties."[3]
Naughton graduated from Brown University and Yale School of Drama. His acting career began when he appeared in a series of Broadway dramas and musicals. He has since become an accomplished actor in both starring and supporting film and television roles.[4]
His largest fame and first love has been the legitimate theater. He won theTheatre World Award for his performance inLong Day's Journey into Night in 1971. He starred withGeneviève Bujold inAntigone, later made into a film in 1974. He starred inI Love My Wife in 1977 and inWhose Life is it Anyway? in 1980. He won his firstTony Award forBest Actor in a Musical in 1990 forCity of Angels. In 1997, he won a second Tony Award with his portrayal of lawyer Billy Flynn in the musicalChicago. He played the role ofWilly Brandt inDemocracy on its U.S. première in 2004. His films includeThe Paper Chase andThe First Wives Club. In 2006, he appeared in the movieThe Devil Wears Prada. In 2006, he played Fuzzy Sedgwick inFactory Girl.
On television, he starred inFaraday & Company withDan Dailey andSharon Gless (1973–1974). He also starred withRoddy McDowall andRon Harper in the 1974 television seriesPlanet of the Apes, a spin-off of the original film. He starred inMaking the Grade andTrauma Center in the early 1980s. He starred in the short-lived seriesRaising Miranda in 1988. From 1991 to 1993, he played Lt. Patrick Monahan on the seriesBrooklyn Bridge. From 1994 to 1995, he co-starred withBill Cosby inThe Cosby Mysteries. He appeared with Gless 20 years later, this time as her husband inCagney and Lacey: The Return (1993) andCagney and Lacey: Together Again (1995). He appeared onDamages withGlenn Close. Naughton had a recurring role onGossip Girl as William van der Bilt, grandfather of main character Nate Archibald. In 1998 he hosted and narrated the CourtTV seriesThe Greatest Trials of All Time.
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He has appeared in television commercials promoting the drugsCialis,Nexium andNasalcrom. Naughton has also been the official voice ofAudi in the U.S. since 2007, heard in its national TV and radio spots. He is also a frequent narrator on television'sNature series.[5]
He has directed several plays in New York City, including the 2002 revival ofThornton Wilder'sOur Town, starring his friendPaul Newman, filmed for cable TV in 2003. He appears incabarets in New York City, includingManhattan Theatre Club andCaroline's Comedy Club.[6]
His family is Irish American.[7] He and his first wife, Pamela Parsons, have two children: Keira and Greg, both actors. Greg is married to Broadway actressKelli O’Hara. Pamela Parsons died from pancreatic cancer in 2013.[8]
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